As we close in on Google's October 4th launch event, a new beta release of the Google app itself is rolling out with hints about some of the things we may hear about during the presentation. In this update, we find further confirmation that one or both of the new Pixels will include pressure-sensitive sides that wake up Google Assistant. There are also clues about customizable search bars and interchangeable voices for the Google Assistant. And we can look forward to routines, which are basically shortcuts capable of taking multiple actions.

Teardown

Disclaimer: Teardowns are based on evidence found inside of apks (Android's application package) and are necessarily speculative and usually based on incomplete information. It's possible that the guesses made here are totally and completely wrong. Even when predictions are correct, there is always a chance that plans could change or may be canceled entirely. Much like rumors, nothing is certain until it's officially announced and released.

The features discussed below probably have not gone live yet, or may only be live for a small percentage of users. However, keep a watchful eye because they may be hidden in unexpected places or Google may activate them remotely at just about any time.

Not that there was much doubt at this point, but the latest update to the Google app adds another log to the fire. Three new lines of text and a placeholder for the settings screen are making it pretty obvious with an explanation that a "squeeze gesture" activates Google Assistant.

There's no direct wording to this effect, but if there is a settings screen for Active Edge, it would possibly suggest that the squeeze gesture can be reassigned. At the very least, it can obviously be turned off. Beyond that, there's still not a lot to know.

Customizable Google Bar

Another addition to this update would seem to suggest there may be a customizable widget in the works. Based on the strings and categories, users would presumably have the option to change the color, shading, and shape of what I would have to imagine is a search bar. It may also be possible to turn off, or possibly even replace the Google logo.

Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical with this one. Google doesn't have a great history of giving users any creative control over the appearance of its first-party interfaces or widgets, so it feels a bit unlikely that we're about to see something like that now. It's possible these lines were added to give partners some visual control, or it may even be limited to internal testing.

On the other hand, it seems likely that theme support is coming to Android in an official capacity, so just about anything is possible. Like last year's teardown that revealed round icons and launcher shortcuts were to become part of Android 7.1, it's just as possible this is the next clue that Android 8.1 will open the doors to user theming, and this widget may take advantage of that.

The many voices of Assistant

On the subject of customization, users may soon have the option to adopt a new voice for Google Assistant. A couple of new strings seem to imply that a list of voices will soon be available to replace Google's standard voice.

<string name="assistant_settings_voice_selection_header">Choose the voice your Assistant will use to respond to you</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_voice_selection_category">Available voices</string>

Replacing the voice of Assistant isn't exactly necessary, but it would be nice to have some variety if for no other reason than to make it more obvious which device responded to a hotword.

New hotwords?

Ever since Google first introduced an always listening, voice-activated interface, people have been pushing for the option to set their own custom hotwords. It only makes sense when the same phrase from just about anybody could trigger a dozen nearby phones in the same room. Based on a couple of new strings, there's a chance those users are finally getting their wish.

The new lines will make up a notification, but they are phrased a bit strangely and leave me skeptical that this may not be what it appears. The title of the notification says, "new hotword available now," while the inner text simply asks users to tap to "upgrade." Google occasionally uses uncommon phrasing for some features, but it's hard to imagine saying that you're upgrading your hotword.

There is probably a better explanation for these lines, but I haven't thought of one yet.

Routines, or multi-step user actions

If you've been using Google Assistant very much, you've probably run up against some of its limits. One of the more important weak points is that it's hard to get a single command to do a lot of different things. For example, it's not hard to set up multiple lights on the same platform (e.g. they're all Phillips Hue), but it gets a lot trickier if you're also trying to open a garage door or start a playlist on your Google Home, things get considerably more difficult.

Now it looks like Google is taking a step beyond the customizable shortcuts enabled back in May. Additions to the latest Google app indicate that a new feature called Routines will be coming to Assistant, but it differentiates itself from Shortcuts by enabling users to build a single routine that can take multiple actions. However, there aren't really any other details to take away from the handful of strings we have to look at right now.

Since Routines will make Shortcuts effectively redundant, I suspect we'll see the Shortcuts converted and only Routines will be left in the end.

Resuming podcasts

Every two or three updates to the Google app, there are little bits and pieces related to podcast capabilities. The trend continues in this update as a new user-defined action seems to be in development. This action doesn't just play an episode, it resumes playback from the point you left off at in an unfinished episode.

Users can request the last episode that had been playing, or name a specific podcast they would like to resume. If no podcast is named, Assistant will likely offer suggestions from a list of episodes that went unfinished.

Sleep sounds

The Google Assistant has an assortment of interesting little features that weren't really advertised when they were added. One of those hidden gems turned up in Google Home earlier this year when it was discovered that there is a library of relaxing audio tracks available for play. Now it looks like Google is adding a new action for all of Assistant users with a more narrowly defined focus on sleep sounds. The selection is a bit more limited at five themes for ambient tracks: Sleep, Meditation, Nature, Ocean, and Thunderstorm.

Download

The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.

Internal naming conventions often stick to the original name for something instead of shifting with the branding. If they did start using the new branding, a lot of string names would still be left with Nexus and it would become more difficult to clean up old text or remember the name of a string that has to be used in more than one place.

This squeezing crap is sooo not pure, not Nexus-like. Google would never put that awful gimmick into a Nexus phone. Pixel line is doomed to turn into a laughing stock. Squeezing so much extra money from a fan base is also is very unlike Nexus concept. It feels more like heartless scroogie Apple move. Google, what have you turned into?

Ste Tan

The update also added this new bottom tab with search suggestions to the search bar. I'm on a Nexus 6p, Oreo

Im having issues with the lastest beta update... now screenshot search option on screen search function make it FC, so im unable to use screen search (AKA now on tap) unless I disable screenshot option

But....did they fix the bug with Android Wear and Reminders / Time To Leave cards yet?

David Hyman

I'm really excited about all these upcoming features! The routines in particular are VERY exciting, that is my biggest issue with IFTTT. If they build in scheduling (turn on these lights at this time of day) I would be even happier!